Gut Microbes May Help In Stroke Recovery

Gut microbes may help
repair damage done to the body following a stroke. A study
conducted out of the University of Kentucky and published in the Journal of
Neuroscience, uncovers the idea that supplementing the body with short
chain fatty acids (SCFA – byproducts produced by gut bacteria when breaking
down plant foods) could improve stroke recovery in some.

The study, conducted
in mice, used water fortified with SCFAs and gave it to mice who had suffered a
stroke. The mice who drank the water showed a reduction in motor impairment
following stroke, as well as increased growth on the spines of dendrites on nerve
cells – a key component for memory. These mice also showed an increase in genes
associated with the brain’s immune cells.

These observations
point to the idea that SCFAs may play a role in altering how the brain responds
to injury via the gut-brain axis. While no clear long-term therapy exists for
stroke patients, these findings are promising. Scientists hope to further test
the effectiveness of SCFA supplementation for stroke therapy and hope to use it
with success in the future.

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